The Milanello Summit: Cardinale, Amorim and the Race Against the Clock
Training at Milanello resumes on Wednesday, 12 August, and the timing is significant: Jerry Cardinale is expected at the training ground for a crucial meeting with Ruben Amorim and the rest of the management. Calvelli, Bobby Gardiner, Almstad and Lomonte will also be at the table, as the club aims to finalise both departures and arrivals. With fewer than twenty days left until the summer transfer window closes, AC Milan cannot afford to waste any more time.
The watchword is acceleration. The squad needs trimming — sources point to at least 8 departures being necessary — while two or three quality signings are still required. Amorim, who holds a hybrid role somewhere between head coach and de facto sporting director, will have a decisive say on both fronts.
Santiago Giménez to Porto: Talks Enter the Final Stage
One of the hottest departures involves Santiago Giménez. In recent hours, concrete talks have begun between Milan and Porto over the sale of the Mexican striker. The forward has reportedly opened the door to a move to Portugal, where manager Farioli has long identified him as an ideal fit for his system.
The deal being discussed involves a loan with an option to buy: a structure that allows Milan to free up squad space without receiving immediate cash. The same formula is being repeated across multiple exits: Athekame is heading to Lyon on a straight loan, while Sissé is in talks with Torino on similar terms. As reported weeks ago, the Portuguese trail for the Mexican forward is now becoming a reality. It is worth noting that Giménez failed to score a single league goal in his time at Milan last season, making his departure almost inevitable.
Leão and Galatasaray: A €40M Bid, But Milan Want More
On the Rafael Leão front: reports from Turkey claimed a new Galatasaray offer of around €40 million. However, according to the latest information available, Milan have not yet formally received this bid. The last registered offer remains the €30m plus €5m in bonuses proposal tabled some weeks ago.
Milan’s stance is firm and unambiguous: any deal for the Portuguese winger requires a fee of between €50 and €60 million. Even a €40m offer would be turned down. Galatasaray could raise their bid in the coming hours or days. The second half of August traditionally throws up unexpected twists, as clubs grow desperate and valuations shift rapidly. It remains to be seen whether Milan might lower their asking price if no higher offers materialise.
It is also worth noting that Leão, having repeatedly expressed interest in a move to the Premier League or La Liga, appears to have scaled back his ambitions: Galatasaray currently represents the most concrete option, and could ultimately suit all parties involved.
Milan Push Forward: Quality Over Quantity
The message coming out of Milanello is consistent: this transfer window must deliver qualitative improvements, not simply a bigger squad. Amorim and Cardinale are aligned on this, and this week’s summit will serve to crystallise priorities. The countdown has begun — every day matters.
